Hay baler



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 HAY BALER @MAA ATTORNEY E. B. Nour :a1-Al.`

Aug. 13, 1.963

Original Filed Oct. 29, 1958 Aug. 13, 1963 E. B. NoLT ETAL 3,100,437

HAY BALER original Filed oct. 29, 195s' 4 vSmets-snm 2 ATTORNEY Aug. 13, 1963 Original Filed Oct. 29, 1958 E. B. NOLT ETAL HAY BALER afg-4.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /N VEN TOKS L/wm w. w bum damn .United States Patent O "ce 3,100,437 HAY BALER Edwin B. Nolt and .laines W. McDutiie, New Holland,

Pa., assignors to Sperry Rand Corporation, New Holland, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Original application Oct. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 770,409, now Patent No. 3,040,508, dated .lune 26, 1962. Divided and this application Oct. 31, 1960, Ser. No. 66,288 3 (Ilaims. (Cl. 1130-179) This invention relates generally to hay balers and moreparticularly `to improved drive means for an automatic hay baler. This application is a division of our patent application Ser. No. 770,409, tiled October 29, 1958, now Patent No. 3,040,508.

Conventionally, a baler has a fore-and-aft extending bale case. A plunger is reciprocable within the bale case and toward and away from a rear end thereof. The drive -means for reciprocating the plunger may come from a power-takeoff connection with the tractor towing the baler or from an engine mounted on .the bale case. The plunger -is reciprocated by a crank arm rotatable about an axis transverse to the extension of said bale case. gearing is utilized to provide a right angle drive to the crank arm from a fore-and-aft input drive shaft. While such drive means is effective, it is expensive, requiring costly tooling and fabrication.

lOne object of this invention is to provide a right angle baler drive which is simple and inexpensive relative to1 -ba-ler whereby the components will stayin the same relaof the dispositionV tive position to each other regardless of the support relative to the bale case. i

` Other objects of this` invention will be apparent hereinafter from the` specification and from the recital in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

pro. 1 is a section taken en the une 1 1`0f71FIG. 2

A gear box having hypoid, spiral and/or bevel and showing in sidey elevation a hay baler` constructed according to this invention;

Fifi'. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2'of Fil-G." l"

and lookingin the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a'plan View of FIG. l; and

" PEG 4 isa fragmentary section taken on the line 4 4; j

of FIGll looking in the direction of thearrows andshowrlg the `details of the plunger drive means. y

Referring now to the drawings bynumerals of reference,` `20 Vdenotes a bale case which is rectangular in' cross section (HG1 2). Balecase 20 extends" in a fore-l and-aft direction relative to ground travel and is disposed in horizontal relation to the. ground. The case has a top wall 21, bottom wall 22 and opposed vertical side 3,100,437, Patented Aug. 13, 1963 (FIG. 4) journaled in a bearing support 32 connected by bolts 34 to side wall 24 of the bale case. Gear 30 has an inner face 35 and an youter face 36, axially spaced. The outer face 36 has radially extending, angularly spaced gear teeth 3S adjacent the periphery of the wheel which mesh with teeth 39 on a pinion 40. As shown best in FIG. 4, the gear teeth 38 and pinion teeth 39 extend perpendicular to `the axis of shaft 31. Also, they project in an axial direction relative to gear 30 and in a radial direction relative to pinion 40. Pinion 40 is keyed to a fore-and-aft extending shaft `41 rotatable in a bushing 42 supported on a portion 43 integral with thel member 32` which supports the shaft 31. Shaft 41 is rotated from a source of power not shown such as the tractor used for towing the baler. A conventional `iiywheel 44 is included in the drive from the source of power to the pinion 40. It will be apparent that when the pinion rotates, the gear 30 will likewise be rotated.

The inside face 35 of gear 30 is provided with a sleeve 45 which supports a pivot pin 46 which extends parallel to the axis of the shaft 31. Pivotally connected to pin 46 is one end of a connecting rod 48 the opposite end of which is pivotally connected to the plunger 29. Thus, when the gear 30 is rotated, the plunger 29 is reciprocated.

Since gear shaft 31 and pinion shaft 41 are carried on the same bearing support 32, if the bearing support shifts relative to the bale case because of bolts 34 becoming loose for some reason, such as vibrations, gear 30 and pinion 40 will still be in the same relation to each other.

In its reciprocating movements, plunger 29 moves Y rearwardly on a working `stroke and past the openings 'Extending alongside of bale chamber wall 25 and fiorf wardly of the opening 26 is a' "transverse rotatable pickupmechanism `5t) comprising a reel 51 ('FIG. l)ha`ving angularly spaced rows of radilly projecting pickup iingers 52. The pickup fingers 52`are separated bylllaterally spaced stripper members 54. The pickup is supported l for pivotal movement about a shaft 55 suitably supported on a mobile chassis which Vincludes an axle 56 supported Aat its opposite ends groundwheelsSS. j j The lpickup is rotated in `a counterclockwise direction` when viewed `as shown inFIG. l througlia` drive which comprises a sprocket 60 keyed tothe shaft 31`of gear 30. Sprocket 60 drivesta sprocket 61 thn'ough endless 'l chain 62. Sprocket 61 drives to `a` sprocket 64' through a slipclutchr65, -FlGl 3,!-one'1elemento`f thev slip clutch' being connected to sprocket 61 andthe other element of the clutch being connected to sprocket 64. Sprocket 64 drives'a sprocket 66 through `an endless chain 68.

Connected'to the sprocket66 `is a cross shaft` 69 which ex tends .to the outboard sideof the baler to a sprocket 70. An endless chain 71 connects sprocket 70 to a sprocket 72 keyed to a shaft 74 carrying reel 51.

Other details of the structure of the pickup and its drive may be similar to that shown in U.S.. Patent No. 2,757,602, issued August 7, 1956. However, it will be noted that the pickup drive includes a clutch adapted to slip if the pickup becomes overloaded.

Cut crop material restingon the ground in a windrow is engaged by the ngers 52 and elevated, the material sliding up and over the stripper plates 54, such material then being delivered rearwardly into an infeed chamber 75. Chamber 75 has a platformor base 76, a roof 78,

Vas they extend from side wall Sil. However, when the platform 76 reaches a point spaced from the side wall 25 of the bale case approximately 1A the distance of the length of the platform, it diverges downwardly and away from the roof 73 as best `shown in FIG. 2. The divergingl por-tion of the platform '76 is denoted 82. Y

Roof 7S'is provided with an opening 78' (FIG. l) through which feed lingers 34 project downwardly. ,The feed lingers are supported on a carriage 85 reciprocable on a guide track '36 supported on roof 78. Carriage S5 is moved toward and'away from bale case 2@ by an oscillating endless chain 37 which extends around relatively spaced sprockets 88 :and 89. Sprocket 89 is disposed outwardly of side wall 80 of the infeed chamber 75 (FIGS. 2l and 3). Sprocket 88 is disposed outwardly of the bale case 26. Vlt is lconnected by means of vertically spaced brackets 99 to the bale case. Brackets 9d carry a` sleeve. 9i which rotatably supports a shaft 92 rotated by van endless chain 94 extending around sprockets 95 and 96. The sprocke-t 95 Vis connected to the lower end of shaft g2, while the sprocket 96 is supported on the side wall 24 of the bale case. The inner reach of chain 94 is connected to plunger 29Yby a member 98' ('FIG. 3) which projects through a fore-and-aft slot 99 in the bale case. When the plunger 29 is reciprocated, chainsrgd and 37 are oscillated. The carriage 85 is moved toward and away from the bale case, the fingers 84 passing into the bale case between successive working strokes of the plunger.V d Y As shown in solid lines in FIG. 2', the fingers 8d ex- Y tend substantially into the bale case 20 at the end of a working stroke. Further, at the end of a return stroke,

the fingers 84 are positioned outside of side -wall 80 as indicated by the dotted position of the lingers. Thus,

itis seen that' thefeed lingers move completely across infeed chamber 75 on each working andv return stroke.

rhe, fingers 84 are connectedto the carriage 85 to pivot Y Vcouuterclockwise (FIG. 2)"jon a 'return stroke of the Vfeeder'whereby theyv will .ride over hay in feed chamber The fingers swingrdown furthe next werking stroke and extend generallyV perpendicular to the platform 76.

Stop. means, not Vshownyis provided Yto hold the fingers perpendicular on a Working stroke. f

t AS Shwnin FIGs 1, the roof 7830i the infeed chamber has a forwardlymvand.upwardly fextelnlding portion 110 which together with the stripper members 54` of the pickup denne aj'tliroat` or inlet 111 to the irnfeed chamber75.

l The infeed mechanism enclosed by a h ood or Vhousing 112 includingta laterally projecting portion 114 which accommodates the carriageSS in retracted position.

When thebaler is towed across Va field or cut and windrowed hay, the pickup 50 engages the crop material, elevates it andiconveys the `material rearwardly into the infeed .chamber 75. Carriage 85 reciprocates'constantly ,in timed relation to the reciprocations of the plunger 29. Between` successive working strokes of the plunger, that is, `movement'of the plunger rearwardly in the bale 4 chamber, the feed fingers 34 convey the crop material into bale case 2li.

iln the baler described, an improved means is provided for driving the bale forming plunger. The face gear Si? provides a simple right ang-le drive from the source of power. eliminated entirely. As shown in FlG. 4, the face gear and the pinion which drives it are carried on the same casting 32 whereby if it ymoves because of vibrations during the operation of the baler or for other reasons, the relative positions of the face gear and the pinion will nevertheless remain the same. By providing the teeth 33 on one side 36 of the face gear and having the crank pin le projecting from the opposite side of the gear, a very sim le and easy means is provided for driving the'plunger. Moreover, the longitudinal position of the pinion 4l) need not be closely held with this structure since a variation will not affect its engagement with the teeth 38 there being substantial room for manufacturing tolerances.

While this invention has been described in connection with a particular embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this on said forward endfor reciprocating said plunger, said 'reciprocating means comprising, in` combination, a first rotatable yshaft having an axis transverse to said Vbale c ase, a gear mountedV on said shaft extending in a, plane perpendicular to the axis of said: shaft and ,parallel to the reciprocations of said plunger, said gear 'having an inner face and an outer face spaced axially, a connecting roclf means pivotally connecting one end of said rod to said plunger, means pivotally connectin an opposite end v of said rod toV said inner faceand radially spaced from rmounted on said second shaft', saidr gear'having angularlyV spaced gear teeth on'said inner'face andlsaid pinion havsaidltransverse axis whereby when, said gear isnrotated said'rod Vis reciprocated, a second rotatable shaft -having an axis extendingnormal to saidtr'ansverse axis, a pinion ingperipheral teeth meshing therewith, said gear and pinion teeth being elongated. and located in a common planerpar'allel to said axis of said second shaft whereby vthe pinion may be in various axial positionswithout changing thec radial mesh of the `pinion teethwith the gear teeth.

`V v.2. In a hay baler, a bale case having a forward endend l fa rear end, -a plunger reciproca-ble in said-bale case toward and` away from said rear end, and means mounted on said r forward end for reciprocating said plunger, said ,recipro-V cating meansV comprising, in combinatioma onerpiece support connected 'to said bale'case, lfirst and second (shafts vrotatably mounte'djon said support and disposed at right angles to each other, said first shaft extending transverse to said bale 'case andsaid second shaftextending parallel to the reciprocation of said plunger, a gear and pinion,-

mounted on saidfirst 'and second shafts respectively, said gear having an inner lface and an outer face spaced axially, yangularly spaced teeth on said gear inner face, teeth on the periphery of said pinion meshing with said gear teeth, said gearvand pinion teeth `being elongated and located in a common plane parallely to said `axis of said secondrshaft and perpendicular to the axis of said irst'shaftV whereby axial Imovement of said pinion on said second shaftV does not change the radial projection of the pinion teeth into said gear teeth, a connecting rod, means pivotallyvconrl`he conventional gear box and crank arm is necting a rear end of said rod to` said plunger, and means pivotally connecting an opposite Iforward end of said rod to said gear outer face and yat a point spaced radially from said transverse axis whereby when the gear is rotated said rod is reciprocated.

3. In a hay baler, 1a bale yease having a forward end, a rear end, a pair of vertical side walls and a front wall, a plunger reciproeable in said bale case toward and away lfrom said rear end, and means mounted on said forward end -for reciprocating said plunger, said reciprocating means comprising, in combination, a one piece support connected to the inside of one of said side walls of said bale case, rst tand second shafts rotatably mounted on said support and disposed at right angles to each other, said rst shaft extending through said one side wall and transverse to said bale case and said second shaft extending through said front Wall and parallel to the reciprocation of said plunger, a flywheel outside of said bale case and mounted on said second shaft, -a gear and pinion located inside said bale tcase and mounted on said first and second shafts respectively, said gear having an inner face facing said one side wall and an outer lface remote therefrom, angularly spaced teeth on said gear inner face, teeth on the periphery of said pinion meshing with said gear teeth, said gear and pinion teeth ybeing elongated and located in a common plane parallel to said axis of said second shaft and perpendicular to the axis of said first shaft whereby axial movement of said. pinion on said second shaft does not change the radial projection of the pinion teeth relative to said4 gear teeth, a connecting rod, means pivotally connecting a -rear end of said rod to said plunger, land means pivotally connecting an opposite forward end of said rod to said gear outer face and at a point spaced radially -from said transverse axis whereby when the gear is rotated said rod is reciprocated.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 204,185 Bettis et al. May 28, 1878 483,678 St. Iohn Oct. 4, 1892 504,033 Harrington Aug. 29, 1893 2,489,198 Russell Nov. 22, 1949 2,560,113 Kenne-dy July 10, 1951 

1. IN A HAY BALER, A BALE CASE HAVING A FORWARD END AND A REAR END, A PLUNGER RECIPROCABLE IN SAID BALE CASE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID REAR END, AND MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FORWARD END FOR RECIPROCATING SAID PLUNGER, SAID RECIPROCATING MEANS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A FIRST ROTATABLE SHAFT HAVING AN AXIS TRANSVERSE TO SAID BALE CASE, A GEAR MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT EXTENDING IN A PLANE PERPENDICULAR TO THE AXIS OF SAID SHAFT AND PARALLEL TO THE RECIPROCATIONS OF SAID PLUNGER, SAID GEAR HAVING AN INNER FACE AND AN OUTER FACE SPACED AXIALLY, A CONNECTING ROD, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING ONE END OF SAID ROD TO SAID PLUNGER, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING AN OPPOSITE END OF SAID ROD TO SAID INNER FACE AND RADIALLY SPACED FROM SAID TRANSVERSE AXIS WHEREBY WHEN SAID GEAR IS ROTATED SAID ROD IS RECIPROCATED, A SECOND ROTATABLE SHAFT HAVING AN AXIS EXTENDING NORMAL TO SAID TRANSVERSE AXIS, A PINION MOUNTED ON SAID SECOND SHAFT, SAID GEAR HAVING ANGULARLY SPACED GEAR TEETH ON SAID INNER FACE AND SAID PINION HAVING PERIPHERAL TEETH MESHING THEREWITH, SAID GEAR AND PINION TEETH BEING ELONGATED AND LOCATED IN A COMMON PLANE PARALLEL TO SAID AXIS OF SAID SECOND SHAFT WHEREBY THE PINION MAY BE IN VARIOUS AXIAL POSITIONS WITHOUT CHANGING THE RADIAL MESH OF THE PINION TEETH WITH THE GEAR TEETH. 